~ And there was always a FFord driver in the 80s/90s spouting off about having a budget and F3000 drive for the following year........

This is the fundamental problem with 'Almost moves' . In many many cases there were announcements more in hope than expectation, particularly in connection with budgets, eg "[If he gets a budget] Speedy Joe will drive for Team Pignatelli next year" or "Team Pignatelli will give Speedy Joe a drive [provided he brings a budget] which is intended to say to potential sponsors "Speedy Joe is driving for Team Pignatelli next year - can you provide him with a [part] budget?" or it might be a team seeking a budget "Team Pignatelli have engaged [young hotshot] Speedy Joe for next year [he is bound to get results and exposure so can you provide the team with some sponsorship]. You then add to this a magazine with the odd column inch to fill printing the more credible rumours, which 20 years later are seen a 'fact'.